Windows xp deleting files in use

Many times while deleting a range of files, a message box will pop-up indicating that a particular file may be in use and cannot be deleted. After clicking Okay, instead of continuing the deletion of remaining files, the file manager halts the deletion process leaving deletable files in the folders. Is there a way to overcome the interruption and have file manager complete deletion of all of the erasable files and just ignore those than cannot be erased?

The workaround In Windows Explorer check that there is a column headed 'Date Modified'. If there is not right click on a column header, e.

Name and check 'Date Modified'. When deleting Temporary Files click on Date Modified to order from latest date to oldest date. In Cookies sort by Last Accessed. Highlight those files with yesterday's date or older and delete. This thread is locked. You can follow the question or vote as helpful, but you cannot reply to this thread. I have the same question 3.

Report abuse. Details required :. Cancel Submit. Are you trying to delete by dragging the files to the Recycle Bin? If yes, this problem usually occurs because the hand isn't quite as steady as one would want. You're moving the files slightly as you drag and that is creating the extra copies.

First lower the sensitivity of your mouse from the Mouse applet in Control Panel. If so, use those instead. Re-select the partition's space if necessary. There should be a blank space where the partition used to be; make sure it's selected.

This will create a new, empty partition in the space where the old one was. Doing so will select the partition as the location to install Windows XP. Go to source. Choose NTFS as the partition's format.

Wait for your hard drive to finish formatting. This can take several hours. Once this process is complete, you'll follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall Windows XP; however, your files, programs, and any other user-installed items will be gone.

You will need your product key to finish installing Windows XP. How do I clear all the files off the computer and store them on an external hard drive? Back up all the files to a hard drive or disc, delete the files off the old hard drive, and use a computer to transfer the back-up onto the new hard drive. Yes No. Not Helpful 4 Helpful 4. No, resetting or reimaging a device will reinstall all of the software and the operating system information but it will delete all user data. Not Helpful 3 Helpful 1.

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If you want to make sure no one can recover any of your files, you'll need to use a program like Eraser or DBAN Darik's Boot and Nuke to overwrite the hard drive. Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0. The only guaranteed way to ensure that no one can ever recover your files is to physically destroy the hard drive.

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